Linklaters joins China’s leaders at China Development Forum

Global law firm Linklaters is honoured to be joining leading figures of the People’s Republic of China at the prestigious China Development Forum, which coincides with the release of the country’s thirteenth five-year plan.

“We are honoured to be meeting with the Chinese leadership, together with many of the world’s business and political leaders, on matters of national importance and of great consequence to the world economy,” said Linklaters Chairman and Senior Partner Robert Elliott.

Mr Elliott said that, as part of the next five year plan, the continued reform of state owned enterprises (SOEs) has been identified as a key measure to drive sustained economic and social development.

Linklaters has an extensive track-record of working with state-owned enterprises, both in China and internationally, to support their success in both local and international markets.

“We welcome the opportunity to continue to assist Chinese policymakers and the SOE leaders as they navigate this vitally important reform process on their pathway to sustained success”, Mr Elliott said.

Head of Linklaters’ International Governance and Development Practice, Lance Croffoot-Suede, said the Forum was an opportunity to contribute towards China’s policy outlook on key issues of governance and stakeholder management.

As part of the forum, Linklaters has developed a report as part of the China Development Forum Engagement Initiative for consideration by Chinese policymakers entitled Reflecting realities and good standards – Stakeholder-centred governance for Chinese State Owned Enterprises (SOEs).

Mr Croffoot-Suede said that the report – to be tabled at the China Development Forum – explains the value of placing governance and stakeholder relationship management front-and-centre of SOE reform.

“Leading SOEs place good governance and stakeholder management at the heart of their business – helping them prosper in the long term. This approach also supports their inbound and outbound investment activities,” said Mr Croffoot-Suede.

China Managing Partner of Linklaters, Fang Jian, said that the firm’s participation in the Forum is testament to the outstanding reputation developed by the firm’s market-leading China practice and global footprint.

“Reform of SOEs is a fundamental policy objective of the Chinese Government and as a firm we have developed expertise in facilitating transactions which underpin these reforms,” said Fang Jian.

“We see great opportunity to further grow our China practice and we are committed to working in partnership with the Government on key policy areas,” Mr Fang Jian said.

This year Linklaters celebrates 40 years of operating in Greater China. The China Development Forum will run from 19 – 21 March, 2016.